Elastic garment for imposing pressure on underlying body regions

ABSTRACT

A garment for applying high pressures to an animal body is illustrated in a typical embodiment as a leg stocking having openings between circumferentially closed portions at the knee and the ends thereof. The openings allow relatively easy removal and application of the stocking which is stretchable in two directions giving movement lengthwise for flexing joints, and stretching circumferentially to apply a high pressure gradient to the leg over substantially the length of the stocking. The stocking is tailored to maintain the pressure gradient in the closed portions, and interdigitized cross links with fasteners operate independently on selected portions along the length of the openings to continue the gradient in this area upon closing the openings by overlapping the fasteners.

United States Patent Fowler et al.

ELASTIC GARMENT FOR IMPOSING PRESSURE ON UNDERLYING BODY REGIONSInventors: Susan M. Fowler, Grand Rapids;

Carolyn Jobst Gottfried, Rossford; Dennis G. Mosiniak; Ansis U.Tenteris, both of Toledo, all of Ohio Jobst Institute, Inc., Toledo,Ohio May 24, 1973 Appl. No.: 363,400

Related US. Application Data abandoned.

Continuation of Ser. No. 99,214, Dec. 16, 1970,

US. Cl 128/165, 2/240, 128/DIG. 15 Int. Cl. A6lf 13/00 Field of Search128/165, 166, 156, 157;

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS10,439 9/1903 Great Britain 128/165 1 1,888 10/1907 Great Britain231,579 4/1925 Great Britain 128/165 Primary Examiner-Richard A. GaudetAssistant Examiner-J. Yasko Attorney, Agent, or Firm-David H. Wilson[57] ABSTRACT A garment for applying high pressures to an animal body isillustrated in a typical embodiment as a leg stocking having openingsbetween circumferentially closed portions at the knee and the endsthereof. The openings allow relatively easy removal and application ofthe stocking which is stretchable in two'directions giving movementlengthwise for flexing joints, and stretching circumferentially to applya high pressure gradient to the leg over substantially the length of thestocking. The stocking is tailored to maintain the pressure gradient inthe closed portions, and interdigitized cross links with fastenersoperate independently on selected portions along the length of theopenings to continue the gradient in this area upon closing the openingsby overlapping the fasteners.

6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEUUEBZMHH KNEE PROXIRAAL END DISTANCEALONG LENGTH OF GARMENT INVENTORS SUSAN M. FOWLER CAROLYN J. GOTTFRIEDANSIS u. TENTERIS DENNIS c,v MOSINIAK C(JM /YMM ATTORNEYS DISTAL ANKLEWEE This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 99,214, filed Dec.16, 1970, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION I-Ieretofore pressure stockings capable ofmaintaining a pressure gradient which increases toward the distal end ofa limb encompassed by the stocking have been produced. Such a pressuregradient aids the return of blood to the heart and reduces accumulationof lymph fluid. The pressure stockings of the prior art feature a designhaving its circumference closed by a permanently sewn seam over theentire length wherein the cross-sectional circumference of the stocking,relative to the cross-sectional circumference of the limb decreasestoward the distal end to develop a greater pressure on the surface ofthe limb at points more remote from the body. A stocking structure ofthe above type is described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,574,873 issued to C.Jobst Nov. 13, 1951.

In certain extreme cases of massive lymphedema the above stocking wasincapable of applying the required pressure which was two to three timesthe pressure of the above sewn seam pressure stocking. When the pressureapplying capabilities of the sewn seam stocking were increased to theproper magnitude, it was found that the wearer could no longer don thestocking. Alternatively, garments with openings along the seams tofacilitate application and removal were tried in an effort to achievethe requisite pressure and facilitate doning. Laced seams tended to slipand thereby equalize the pressure over the length of the garment. Thus,in practice, the pressure gradient could not be accurately establishedand over a reasonable period of wear, the gradient was dissipated byslippage of the laces. In addition, the lace inhibited longitudinalstretching and resulted in creep of the garment against the surface ofthe covered limb toward the distal end thereof, thereby chafing thepatient. When other closure or fastening means were employed, theresults were similar due to the continuous nature of the structuresupporting the fasteners inhibiting longitudinal stretching of thegarment.

Burn treatments have been developed wherein during the advanced healingprocess the application of pressure of about 5 to mm. of Hg inhibitsscarring characterized by excessive re-growth of tissue in the injuredarea. Where body regions are to be healed as in the case of the humantorso pressures imposed by enveloping tubular constraining structurescan be developed only with rather substantial forces in view of thebroad areas involved. Application of elastic constraining tubulargarments, where sufficient tension is applied to achieve the desiredpressure, has been difficult since burn scar tissue is particularlysensitive and vulnerable to shear forces. Further, when a constraininggarment is mounted over burn scar tissue and the patient permitted tomove, shear forces should be minimized, wrinkles in the garment due togathering of material should be avoided, shifting of the garment as bytwisting or creeping, should not occur, and chafing of the underlyingtissue by the garment or pads which it constrains should be minimized.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to pressure orcompressive type health garments for animal bodies, and moreparticularly, to garments capable of exerting pressures two to fourtimes those available in known pressure type gannents, which can bereadily drawn over the body to be encased. The garment has the abilityto maintain a pressure gradient on a body along the length thereof andis also capable of providing pressure relief at predetermined regions.

Typical of a garment having the above features is a stocking forsupporting a leg consisting of elastic material stretchable in twodirections to allow flexure of joints by longitudinal stretching, andradial pressure by circumferential stretching. The stocking encases theleg by virtue of circumferentially enclosed ends between which anopening or openings extend, closable by independently operable fastenersafter the leg is inserted through the enclosed end. The pressuregradient over the length of the stocking is established by tailoring thestocking to a circumferential dimension progressively decreasing fromthe proximal toward the distal end in greater ratio than that of the legto be encased. Open portions of the stockings are closed by thefasteners which can be positioned to provide the desired circumferentialconstrictive force.

This type garment is capable of exerting higher pressures than stockingsknown in the prior art. Both closed and open seam portions as well asthe garment material are of a nature which allows longitudinalstretching to give freedom for joint flexure where required. Materialfor the garment can be tailored to provide a pressure gradient over theentire stocking length, and the open seam is articulated longitudinallyby independent fasteners which can maintain pressure levels in portionsof the garment adjacent the fastener to continue the pressure gradientover the length of the open portions. F asteners having graded indicesmay be employed to enable a predetermined pressure to be applied in aselected region by merely placing the fastener adjacent the properindex. The opening renders the garment eas-. ily donnable by the wearer.The capability of adjusting the pressure of predetermined portions ofthe stocking material along the length of the opening allows gradualpressure gradients to be developed thereby militating against wrinklingof the garment and accompanying surface chafing and sores on the encasedbody.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS ing of FIG. 1 with the upper seamopened to expose both a liner and fastener engaging elements;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view taken along line4-4 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of the fasteners,illustrating the graduated indices thereon.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings, FIG.1 illustrates an embodiment of a pressure type garment for use atpressures higher than those obtainable with exclusively sewn seamstockings. A garment of the type illustrated will be referred to, forconvenience, as a high pressure garment and the sewn seam stocking as anormal stocking. The high pressure garment is illustrated in the form ofa leg stocking for supporting the thigh, calf, ankle and instep portionsof a leg. The stocking material is an elastic fabric stretchable in thelongitudinal and circumferential directions. The circumference of thestockings is enclosed at the top, knee and foot by the sewn seam 12. Thesewn seam 12 is fabricated by a multiple thread process which maintainsthe stretchability of the stocking material 10 where the seam is formed,particularly in the longitudinal direction. Typical of the sewn seams l2and 14 illustrated is a seam by a Wilcox and Gibbs five-needle sewingmachine, which seam is known in the trade as a flatlock seam. Where theencased body does not have a smooth contour, an additional seam in theregion where changes in contour occur, may be introduced as illustratedby the rear sewn seam 14. Location of seams is not limited to thepositions in FIG. 1. Seams are located as required by the contour of thegarment and their utility for the wearer.

The leg stocking is formed in a manner similar to the stockingillustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 2,574,873 issued to C. .lobst' Nov. 13,1951, which discloses a stocking having variation in radialpressure atdifferent points in the length of the stocking so as to secure just therequired amount for assisting circulation without danger ofstrangulation. The graduation in the pressure results in a pressuregradient generally as illustrated by curve A of FIG.Y2. The idealpressure gradient for a high pressure garment is illustrated by curve B.While pressure levels vary with the wearers needs, a pressure gradientin a normal stocking of 10 to 40 mm. Hg is practical and usable. In ahigh pressure garment, the range would be 40 to 150 mm. Hg, approachingfour times the level of the normal stocking.

The high pressure garment stocking material 10 has a modulus ofelasticity of two to four times that of the fabric of a normal stocking.Typically, powernet or bobbinnet materials can be used as the stockingmaterial l0.

Openings 16 on the front of the leg stocking between the sewn seams 12are illustrated in FIG. 1 as closed by tabs 18. When the tabs 18 areunfastened, the openings 16 give the leg stocking clearance to pass overthe leg to be encased. FIG. 3 illustrates the tabs 18 in more detail andreveals an inner liner 20 which may be used between the skin surface andthe openings 16 to afford the wearer comfort from the edges of theopenings 16. The liner is depicted by hidden lines in FIG. 1, and can beinserted as an independent element or attached to the knee portion ofthe leg stocking. The tabs 18 above the sewn seam 12 at the knee areillustrated in a nonengaged position in FIG. 3. Tabs 18 are extensionsof the stocking material 10 and, therefore, are stretchable both in thelongitudinal and circumferential directions. They are distributed overthe length of the openings 16 with adjacent tabs 18 extending fromopposite sides of the openings 16. Extension of tabs 18 as integralportions of the stocking body from opposite sides of the openings 16 inan alternating pattern enables the tabs 18 to be interdigitated whenlapped over the openings 16 which have been pulled closed. Thealternating extension of tabs 18 from opposite sides of openings 16decrease the tendency of a garment to twist and reduces oblique frictionforces on the skin of the enclosed body which causes abrasion andchafing.

Advantageously, the tabs 18 can be secured by fasteners made up of pads22 and 24 having facings of tibrous entanglements 28, as illustrated inFIG. 4. Pads 22 each can be an array of loops on a fabric backingsecured to the outer face of the body of the stocking in spacedpositions with which the tabs 18 will register when drawn across theopenings 16. In this manner the stocking material in the zones betweenpads 22 and forming the base regions of tabs 18 extending to theopposite side of opening 16 are of the same elastic character as themajor body portions of the stocking. Pads 24 each can be an array ofhooks on a fabric backing secured to the inner face of the tabs 18 neartheir ends. The mating portions 22 and 24 hold securely upon pressureengagement of the faces and can be manually peeled apart to render theopenings 16 accessible. An example of the fasteners illustrated arethose commercially available under the trademark VELCRO. The fastenershave the advantage of infinite adjustment in the direction transverse ofthe stocking. Other types of fasteners could be used, for example,snaps, buttons or hooks. Since the tabs 18 are extensions of thestocking material 10, pulling each tab across an opening 16 to apredetermined point establishes the circumference for that portion ofthe leg stocking, thereby producing the desiredconstructive force andradial pressure. Due to the flexible nature of the stocking material 10,the tabs, being extensions of the stocking material 10, are independentof each other enabling that portion of the leg stocking attached to onecross link 18 to be stretched to a different circumferential dimensionthan the portion attached to an adjacent tab 18-. The pressure gradientavailable in a tailored sewn seam is, therefore, also achieved in theportion of the leg stocking having tabs 18.

The flexibility of the tabs 18 allows the pressure gradient applied by aleg stocking to be varied without abrupt pressure changes to givepressure relief to an area like the knee. FIG. 1 illustrates a sewn seamat the knee which is tailored to establish a pressure level of a normalstocking in the region of the knee to prevent strangulation at the knee.A transitional gradient from the higher pressures along the openings 16through the lower pressures of the closed knee region of the garment canbe tailored entirely in the open regions, entirely in the closed region,or partially in each of the contiguous regions. Strangulation wouldoccur at the knee if the pressure level indicated by the ideal high Ipressure gradient, curve B of FIG. 2, was applied to the blood vesselsat or near the surface of the area behind the knee. The dotted linecurve C is indicative-of the pressure relief afforded the knee andillustrates the smooth transition of the slope of the pressure gradientcurves as the pressure falls to that of the normal stocking and thenreturns to the ideal gradient, curve B, for the high pressure garment.Similar relief is given to the foot and instep where pressures wouldotherwise exceed the tolerable comfort zone of the wearer. The highestpressures, therefore, exist at the ankle of the leg stocking and, inpractical applications, are as high as 150 mm. Hg. The dotted line curveD of FIG. 2,illustrates the drop in pressure from the ankle to theinstep and foot.

The degree of stretchability in the longitudinal direction andflexibility in achieving smooth pressure gradients in a high pressuregarment increase with an increase in the number of tabs per unit lengthof garment opening 16 and is adjustable to the requirements of eachcase. Since the tab circumferentially stretches a select portion of thegarment, the smooth transitions of pressure gradient can be achieved.Such transitions are especially useful where pressure relief is requiredfor a region of the body. The tabs can be adjusted to optimize thetransitions and minimize the tendency of the garment to wrinkle.

FIG. 5 illustrates a predetermined indexing system having longitudinaland transverse indices and 32, respectively. The transverse index 32 isa guide for the amount of pressure to be applied by indicating how farthe ends of the tabs 18 should be pulled past the opening 16, and thelongitudinal index 30 locates the various portions of the stocking towhich a select pressure is to be applied. The transverse indices 32 areplaced in between the fastener pads 22, placing each adjacent its matingtab 18 when pulled to the closed position.

The preferred embodiment illustrates a leg stocking but could just aswell have been any of numerous garments for any limb of an animal bodyand, further, for bodies other than limbs, such as corsets and the like,wherever a graduated degree of support is required. An infinite numberof combinations of sewn seams 12 and openings 16 may be utilized asrequired by particular applications. A high pressure garment could beachieved without the use of any sewn seams employing the tabs 18 andfasteners 22 and 24.

Other embodiments of the garment include pressure bandages, particularlythose requiring the development of high tension in the elastic materialof the garment body such as is required for burn garments. Typically aburn vest can be employed for the treatment of burn scars in the torso.Such vests embrace the torso. They can be applied to the patient mostconveniently if provided with an opening extending longitudinally of thetubular body which registers with the injured body region, as opening16. The closure comprised of interdigitated cross links 18 of elasticmaterial with adjacent cross links 18 extending from opposite sides ofthe openings enables such an opening to be closed in a manner to developthe necessary tension in the material of the garment body portionwithout imposing shear on the patient. In particular, the garment can bepre-tensioned before it is closed around the patient and then closed onthe patient by imposing essentially only radial inwardly directed forcesas it is brought into contact with the wound dressings. The balancedtension maintained across the closed opening by the interdigitated crosslinks extending from opposite sides of the openings avoids the usuallocalized pulling transverse of the opening as imposed by most prior artclosure structures where tension is developed from but one side.Further, while the individual tabs and the garment body were stressedbefore being closed they do afford a means of localized adjustment. Byemploying discrete tabs or extensions 18 of elastic material on eachside of the garment opening 16 spaced apart at least the width ofinterdigitated extensions and providing individual securing meansindividually secured on the face of the main body of the garment as theVelcro pads 22, the usual constraints against longitudinal elasticity ofthe garment are avoided in that a region of the body material,unconstrained by securing means, is available between each extensionsecuring pad 22. A zipper closure or a Velcro strip parallel to theopening and secured to the body portion does not provide thislongitudinal elasticity. As a result, movement of the patient isaccommodated in small increments over the enclosed body portion withoutimposing sheer longitudinal of the garment opening and withoutdeveloping the gathered and thus wrinkled area typical of those priorart closures.

It is significant that the opening of the garment is closed without theclosure means imposing any components of force longitudinal of theopening. The elastic cross links or extensions 18 extend across theopening 16 generally perpendicularly to the margins of the openingthrough all of the range of forces imposed. Prior art lacings imposelongitudinal forces on the opening margins and garment portions in theirvicinity by virtue of the runs of the laces parallel to the opening orinclined from a perpendicular to the opening. As the prior art garmentswith lace closures are subject to body movement the lacings tend toshorten the garment along the length of the opening, gather the materialof the garment body along the opening, wrinkle the garment and imposeshearing stress on the tissue enclosed.

From the above it will be appreciated that certain features of thegarment construction offers advantages in applications other than thoseinvolving pressure gradients as where uniform pressure with minimizedshearing stress is desired for burn garments. Such b'urn garmentsfrequently are required to develop substantial force in order to producethe requisite pressure over the large areas to which they are applied.

In the case of the pressure gradient stocking, the garment is onecapable of exerting pressures two to three times that of a normalstocking and capable of establishing a pressure gradient upon a body.The garment,-

sewn seams and tab closed openings are stretchable longitudinally toeliminate garment creep relative to the surface of the body encased.Pressure relief can be given to regions of the enclosed body requiringit, and smooth transitions of pressure gradient militate againstchafing. The pressure relief prevents strangulation and affords thewearer comfort as well as joint flexibility. The garment openings renderthe garment easily donnable and the opening fasteners are securablemanually. Fasteners of the type illustrated are infinitely adjustableand especially adaptable to indexing systems. The tabs allow subsequentadjustment of pressure levels upon the wearers improved or worsenedcondition.

What is claimed is:

l. A leg stocking comprising a main body portion including thigh, knee,calf, ankle, instep and foot portions of generally tubular shape and offlexible material which is longitudinally and circumferentially elastichaving a front seam circumferentially closed at the top, knee, instepand foot, the remaining portions of said front seam being openings; aplurality of adjustable fastening means extending laterally across saidopenings and spaced along the length of said main body portion, wherebyregions intermediate said spaced fastening means afford longitudinalelasticity to said garment along the margins of said openings; said mainbody portion at the knee, instep and foot portions being formed toimpose a pressure gradient on the body regions to which it is applied bygradiations in the ratio of the circurnference of the body region to thecircumference of the garment region in registry therewith, whereby saidclosed tubular length imposes an inward directed radial pressure on thebody region which is greater at one end thereof than at the other end,and being tailored to relieve pressure on the portion of the bodyencased thereby, whereby the pressure relief is accomplished by a smoothtransition with said fastening means adjustable to give a gradual changein pressure gradient from the openings in said main body portion to theknee, instep and foot portions; said fastening means including lateralextensions of said material extending from both sides of the openingswith said extensions on one side interdigitating with said extensions onthe other side; a

liner between the margins of said openings and said leg; pressureindicating indices for said extensions; and a second seam to facilitatetailoring that portion of said main body portion requiring a substantialchange in contour to conform to the leg.

2. A garment for supporting an articulated region of animal bodiescomprising:

a main body portion of flexible, elastic material of generally tubularshape including a closed tubular length encompassing said articulatedanimal body region, said body portion including said tubular lengthbeing formed to impose a pressure gradient on the animal body region towhich the garment is applied by gradiations in the ratio of thecircumference of the animal body region to the circumference of thegarment body region in registry therewith whereby said closed tubularlength imposes an inward directed radial pressure on the articulatedregion which is greater at one end thereof than at the other end, and isgradually reduced along said length intermediate the ends of said lengthto level less than at the low pressure end of said length by thedecrease in the ratio of the circumference of the intermediate portionto the circumference of the animal body region enclosed thereby belowthe ratio of the low pressure end of said length, said body portionhaving at least one opening extending along the length thereof extendingfrom said closed tubular length and having margins for said openinggenerally paralleling the longitudinal axis of said tubular shape; asecond closed tubular length adjacent one end of said main body portionand spaced from said first mentioned closed tubular length by saidopening extending along the length thereof; said second closed tubularlength having a terminal portion extending to said one end of said mainbody portion in which the ratio of the circumference of the terminalportion to the circumference of the animal body region enclosed therebyis progressively reduced along the longitudinal dimension of said mainbody portion toward said end whereby inward directed radial pressure onthe enclosed body region is progressively reduced toward said end; and

plurality of adjustable fastening means extending laterally across theopening and spaced along the length of said main body portion, wherebyregions intermediate said spaced fastening means afford longitudinalelasticity to said garment along said opening margins, said fasteningmeans being capable of adjustably establishing gradiations of radialpressures on the animal body along the length thereof.

3. A garment for supporting an articulated region of animal bodiescomprising: a main body portion of flexible, elastic material ofgenerally tubular shape including a closed tubular length encompassingsaid articulated animal body region, said body portion including saidtubular length being formed to impose a pressure gradient on the animalbody region to which the garment is applied by gradiations in the ratioof the circumference of the animal body region to the circumference ofthe garment body region in registry therewith whereby said closedtubular length imposes an inward directed radial pressure on thearticulated region which is greater at one end thereof than at the otherend, said body portion having at least one opening extending along thelength thereof from said closer tubular length and having margins forsaid opening generally paralleling the longitudinal axis of said tubularshape; and a plurality of adjustable fastening means extending laterallyacross said opening and spaced along the length of said main bodyportion, whereby regions intermediate said spaced fastening means affordlongitudinal elasticity to said garment along said opening margins, saidfastening means being adapted for adjustably establishing gradiations ofradial pressures on the animal body along the length thereof; saidfastening means including a first set of extensions of flexible elasticmaterial having a length extending across said opening from a first sideto a second side of said main body portion; and

said fastening means including a second set of extensions of flexible,elastic material having a length extending across said opening from asecond side to a first side of said main body portion; said extensionsof said first set being spaced apart along the margin of said opening adistance at least equal to the width of said extensions of said secondset and said extensions of said second set each being aligned with thespace between extensions of said first set and being spaced apart alongthe margin of said opening a distance at least equal to the width ofsaid extensions of said first set whereby said extensions interdigitateand the extensions of each set engage the main body portion between theextensions of the opposed set to balance the forces imposed on theanimal body region on the opposite sides of the opening and minimize thetendency of the garment to twist, to creep on and to chafe the animalbody region.

4. A garment for imposing pressure upon regions of animal bodiescomprising: a main body portion of flexible material of generallytubular shape for encompassing said animal body region, said materialbeing elastic in the longitudinal and transverse dimensions of saidtubular main body portion, said tubular main body portion havingcircumferences along its length which have a ratio to the circumferenceof the animal body region with which they are adapted to registerwhereby said tubular body imposes an inward directed radial pressure onthe animal body region, said body portion having at least one openingextending longitudinally of the tubular shape and having margins forsaid opening; a plurality of fastening means extending across saidopening generally perpendicularly to said margins and spaced along thelength of said main body portion, whereby regions of said flexible,elastic material intermediate said spaced fastening means affordlongitudinal elasticity to said garment along said opening margins; saidfastening means including a first set of extensions of flexible elasticmaterial having a length extending across said opening from a first sideto a second side of said main body portion; and said fastening meansincluding a second set of extensions of flexible, elastic materialhaving a length extending across said opening from said second side tosaid first side of said main body portion; said extensions of said firstset being spaced apart along the margin of said opening a distance atleast equal to the width of said extensions of said second set and saidextensions of said second set each being aligned with the space betweenextensions of said first set and being spaced apart along the margin ofsaid opening a distance at least equal to the width of said extensionsof said first set whereby said extensions interdigitate and theextensions of each set engage the main body portion between theextensions of the opposed set to balance the forces imposed on theanimal body region on the opposite sides of the opening and minimize thetendency of the garment to twist, to creep on, and to chafe the animalbody region.

5. A garment according to claim 4 including individual first securingmeans on the face most proximate said animal body of each of saidextensions of said first and second set; and individual second securingmeans individually secured on the face of said main body por-' tionremote from said animal body, said second securing means being adaptedto securingly engage with recontact fasteners of the Velcro type.

1. A leg stocking comprising a main body portion including thigh, knee,calf, ankle, instep and foot portions of generally tubular shape and offlexible material which is longitudinally and circumferentially elastichaving a front seam circumferentially closed at the top, knee, instepand foot, the remaining portions of said front seam being openings; aplurality of adjustable fastening means extending laterally across saidopenings and spaced along the length of said main body portion, wherebyregions intermediate said spaced fastening means afford longitudinalelasticity to said garment along the margins of said openings; said mainbody portion at the knee, instep and foot portions being formed toimpose a pressure gradient on the body regions to which it is applied bygradiations in the ratio of the circumference of the body region to thecircumference of the garment region in registry therewith, whereby saidclosed tubular length imposes an inward directed radial pressure on thebody region which is greater at one end thereof than at the other end,and being tailored to relieve pressure on the portion of the bodyencased thereby, whereby the pressure relief is accomplished by a smoothtransition with said fastening means adjustable to give a gradual changein pressure gradient from the openings in said main body portion to theknee, instep and foot portions; said fastening means including lateralextensions of said material extending from both sides of the openingswith said extensions on one side interdigitating with said extensions onthe other side; a liner between the margins of said openings and saidleg; pressure indicating indices for said extensions; and a second seamto facilitate tailoring that portion of said main body portion requiringa substantial change in contour to conform to the leg.
 2. A garment forsupporting an articulated region of animal bodies comprising: a mainbody portion of flexible, elastic material of generally tubular shapeincluding a closed tubular length encompassing said articulated animalbody region, said body portion including said tubular length beingformed to impose a pressure gradient on the animal body region to whichthe garment is applied by gradiations in the ratio of the circumferenceof the animal body region to the circumference of the garment bodyregion in registry therewith whereby said closed tubular length imposesan inward directed radial pressure on the articulated region which isgreater at one end thereof than at the other end, and is graduallyreduced along said length intermediate the ends of said length to levelless than at the low pressure end of said length by the decrease in theratio of the circumference of the intermediate portion to thecircumference of the animal body region enclosed thereby below the ratioof the low pressure end of said length, said body portion having atleast one opening extending along the length thereof extending from saidclosed tubular length and having margins for said opening generallyparalleling the longitudinal axis of said tubular shape; a second closedtubular length adjacent one end of said main body portion and spacedfrom said first mentioned closed tubular length by said openingextending along the length thereof; said second closed tubular lengthhaving a terminal portion extending to said one end of said main bodyportion in which the ratio of the circumference of the terminal portionto the circumference of the animal body region enclosed thereby isprogressively reduced along the longitudinal dimension of said main bodyportion toward said end whereby inward directed radial pressure on theenclosed body region is progressively reduced toward said end; and aplurality of adjustable fastening means extending laterally across theopening and spaced along the length of said main body portion, wherebyregions intermediate said spaced fastening means afford longitudinalelasticity to said garment along said opening margins, said fasteningmeans being capable of adjustably establishing gradiations of radialpressures on the animal body along the length thereof.
 3. A garment forsupporting an articulated region of animal bodies comprising: a mainbody portion of flexible, elastic material of generally tubular shapeincluding a closed tubular length encompassing said articulated animalbody region, said body portion including said tubular length beingformed to impose a pressure gradient on the animal body region to whichthe garment is applied by gradiations in the ratio of the circumferenceof the animal body region to the circumference of the garment bodyregion in registry therewith whereby said closed tubular length imposesan inward directed radial pressure on the articulated region which isgreater at one end thereof than at the other end, said body portionhaving at least one opening extending along the length thereof from saidcloser tubular length and having margins for said opening generallyparalleling the longitudinal axis of said tubular shape; and a pluralityof adjustable fastening means extending laterally across said openingand spaced along the length of said main body portion, whereby regionsintermediate said spaced fastening means afford longitudinal elasticityto said garment along said opening margins, said fastening means beingadapted for adjustably establishing gradiations of radial pressures onthe animal body along the length thereof; said fastening means includinga first set of extensions of flexible elastic material having a lengthextending across said opening from a first side to a second side of saidmain body portion; and said fastening means including a second set ofextensions of flexible, elastic material having a length extendingacross said opening from a second side to a first side of said main bodyportion; said extensions of said first set being spaced apart along themargin of said opening a distance at least equal to the width of saidextensions of said second set and said extensions of said second seteach being aligned with the space between extensions of said first setand being spaced apart along the margin of said opening a distance atleast equal to the width of said extensions of said first set wherebysaid extensions interdigitate and the extensions of each set engage themain body portion between the extensions of the opposed set to balancethe forces imposed on the animal boDy region on the opposite sides ofthe opening and minimize the tendency of the garment to twist, to creepon and to chafe the animal body region.
 4. A garment for imposingpressure upon regions of animal bodies comprising: a main body portionof flexible material of generally tubular shape for encompassing saidanimal body region, said material being elastic in the longitudinal andtransverse dimensions of said tubular main body portion, said tubularmain body portion having circumferences along its length which have aratio to the circumference of the animal body region with which they areadapted to register whereby said tubular body imposes an inward directedradial pressure on the animal body region, said body portion having atleast one opening extending longitudinally of the tubular shape andhaving margins for said opening; a plurality of fastening meansextending across said opening generally perpendicularly to said marginsand spaced along the length of said main body portion, whereby regionsof said flexible, elastic material intermediate said spaced fasteningmeans afford longitudinal elasticity to said garment along said openingmargins; said fastening means including a first set of extensions offlexible elastic material having a length extending across said openingfrom a first side to a second side of said main body portion; and saidfastening means including a second set of extensions of flexible,elastic material having a length extending across said opening from saidsecond side to said first side of said main body portion; saidextensions of said first set being spaced apart along the margin of saidopening a distance at least equal to the width of said extensions ofsaid second set and said extensions of said second set each beingaligned with the space between extensions of said first set and beingspaced apart along the margin of said opening a distance at least equalto the width of said extensions of said first set whereby saidextensions interdigitate and the extensions of each set engage the mainbody portion between the extensions of the opposed set to balance theforces imposed on the animal body region on the opposite sides of theopening and minimize the tendency of the garment to twist, to creep on,and to chafe the animal body region.
 5. A garment according to claim 4including individual first securing means on the face most proximatesaid animal body of each of said extensions of said first and secondset; and individual second securing means individually secured on theface of said main body portion remote from said animal body, said secondsecuring means being adapted to securingly engage with respectiveindividual first securing means on extensions on the opposite side ofsaid opening, said second securing means each being located on separatespaced areas of said main body portion on the first and second sides ofsaid opening which are in an alignment with the space between adjacentextensions from said opening margins which is generally perpendicular tosaid opening margins.
 6. A garment according to claim 5 wherein saidfirst and second securing means are complementary area contact fastenersof the ''''Velcro'''' type.